The Boys' Club

by Wendy Squires

  Lou was never backwards in coming forward and was not making any exceptions as she opened Daniel Jones's heavy wooden gate.

  'Aunty Lou,' piped Leon, who couldn't have been more excited to see someone if they'd been made of chocolate and sprinkled with hundreds and thousands.

  'Come here, big fella, and give your Aunty Lou a cuddle,' she said unnecessarily, as Leon was already jumping to catch her embrace.

  'Where have you guys been?' she asked, staring over Leon's shoulder in alarm at Rosie's dodgy eye. 'I've been calling.'

  'Mummy got in a big fight with Daddy and said the F word,' Leon answered before Rosie could respond. 'Me and Heather cooked you muffins but they broke because Daddy fell on them. Then I hit Mummy in the eye. I didn't mean it but.'

  'Oh,' Lou replied, talking to Leon but looking at Rosie quizzically. 'Well, I guess you have been busy then. You'd better run inside, my man, 'cause there's someone who's been waiting for you—'

  'Elroy!' Leon screamed, then dashed through the gate into the leafy green within.

  'What the—?' Lou began as soon as the boy was out of earshot.

  'Don't even ask,' Rosie answered, beleaguered. 'I need a drink. Actually, I need many drinks.'

  'Are you okay?'

  'Not really. To be honest, I'd prefer to be home on my lounge, heavily sedated, but I couldn't let Leon down again.'

  'Is that true what he said about you and Jeff fighting?'

  'Sure is. I whacked him a beaut, straight in the face.'

  'Bull! You did not!'

  'Did so. Don't say anything, Lou. I feel bad enough as it is.'

  'Holy hell! Tell me he didn't give you that shiner?'

  'No, Leon did. Does it look bad? It hurts like hell but Heather said—'

  'Heather?'

  'Yep, Heather. She's moved in already. The place looks great. I hate to say it but she's . . . well, quite nice.'

  'Now I need a Valium!'

  'I know. Look, let's talk about it later. I just want to get through this dinner and get home. I'm going to have to sneak out soon and make a call, so you'll need to cover for me. I can't have Leon see me ringing work.'

  'Okay . . . I think. But I demand a detailed explanation later. I mean, did you really whack Jeff?'

  'Lou, please, I'll cry.'

  'Shit, don't do that. Not now anyway,' Lou replied. 'Come inside and check out this house. Daniel designed it . . . well, told the architect what he wanted at least. And he planted the garden. I'm telling you, Rosie, this guy is gorgeous. Stephen thinks so too. I mean, he's almost too good to be true.'

  'Well, if he seems that way, then he no doubt is. Watch me – I'll find his faults.'

  'Hmm, I think that could be your problem, missy. You find faults all too easily.'

  'Not now, Lou. I'm not in the mood to have a personality evaluation. I already know the results. A big F for flawed. Now lead me to Mr Perfect.'

  * * *

  If Daniel Jones did indeed have a major fault, Rosie was having a damn hard time finding it. As she nursed a piece of raw steak he had fetched her to put on her swollen eye, she watched his every move with the other eye and liked what she saw. Wearing a pair of old Mambo board shorts, thongs and a worn-thin T-shirt that clung in all the right places, he seemed even more attractive in his comfortable surrounds.

  And who wouldn't have been? His home was as peaceful and serene as it was beautiful, a Balinese oasis that seemed several degrees cooler than the world outside, like entering an exotic rainforest. Although it was an average-size garden, the quaint nooks he had carved into the lush greenery somehow made it seem larger, like a place you could get lost in.

  Lou, Stephen and Rosie were gathered around a large, worn table that Daniel confessed was actually a door he'd picked up from a building site and sanded back to reveal its ancient hardwood grain. Overhead, a lattice threaded with passionfruit vine cast a dappled golden glow of fading afternoon sun while the nearby barbecue crackled with smoky heat. Stephen was eyeing off a padlocked shed in the corner of the yard.

  'So, what's in there?' he asked Daniel as he sipped on his Corona and supervised the barbecue as men tend to do.

  'It's full of crap,' Daniel said with a good-natured laugh. 'My guitars, and painting stuff, but I love it.'

  'Every man needs a shed,' Stephen replied. 'Somewhere to get away from the womenfolk.'

  Stephen winked at Lou, who rolled her eyes skyward.

  'So, can I ask you, mate, and tell me if I'm being nosy, but where's Elroy's mum?'

  Rosie tried not to look interested in the reply to come, even though Lou was raising her eyebrows up and down at her like a madwoman.

  'Um, she left me about eighteen months ago. Took off with my business partner, no less. Never saw it coming.'

  Holy hell, who would leave you?

  'Shit, that's rough, mate, sorry,' Stephen said, taken aback by his new friend's honesty.

  'It's okay, I'll admit it was hard for a while, but what can you do?' Daniel replied. 'It's been tougher on my boy, though. Not easy for a kid to realise his mum doesn't want him.'

  'So, she left him with you?' Stephen asked, shocked.

  'Yep. We came home one day and she'd cleared out.'

  'Shit, mate, I gotta hand it to you. I mean, your boy is a credit.'

  Both men looked over to see Leon and Elroy playing gently with Elroy's new labrador puppy in a sandpit area at the back of the garden.

  'Thanks, but I can't really take credit. He's just a great kid. I'm proud to know him.'

  Rosie looked over at Lou and mouthed 'all right' sarcastically. She had to agree that Snag Dad Daniel Jones was turning out to be a first-class sweetheart.

  Lou stood up, walked over to Daniel and planted a big kiss on his cheek. Raising her glass to him, she announced: 'Daniel, it is an absolute pleasure and honour to meet you.'

  'Thanks, Lou, the same to you. Great to have you here.'

  Then he turned towards Rosie, who still had the piece of meat dangling from her face, and smiled. 'Especially nice to have you here, Rosie. For a while there I thought I'd never actually get you to sit still long enough to have a proper conversation, never mind a meal.'

  Rosie's face flushed so red it matched her meaty eye-patch. 'It's nice to be here, Daniel,' she replied, her heart pounding so fast between her ribs she thought she had the entire cast of Tap Dogs in there.

  * * *

  'Dinner's on in ten, boys,' Daniel yelled to Leon and Elroy, who were giggling at the now overexcited puppy. 'Inside and wash your hands.'

  As Elroy led Leon up the back stairs and into the house, Rosie saw an opportunity to sneak away and make the call to Elaine Norman. It was also an opportunity to sneak in a cigarette. She was still not comfortable letting Lou know she'd taken it up again – pot was fine but tobacco was a big no-no to Lou – and she certainly didn't want Daniel Jones to learn of her filthy habit. After all, it was only a temporary hiccup.

  'Excuse me for a moment, I've just got to get something from the car,' Rosie said, already with her hand on the wooden gate.

  Rosie gave Lou a wink but her friend seemed none too impressed to be part of her obvious ruse.

  'Don't be long,' Stephen called out to her without looking around, too busy turning the seafood.

  Once through the gate, Rosie lit up and took a second to work out how she felt. She was skittish – no, make that giddy – as if she had drunk a dozen more glasses than she actually had.

  Keep it together, girl, he's only a man . . . But what a man!

  Rosie walked to her car, opened the door and plonked herself in the driver's seat. Fetching her phone from her handbag, she removed the steak from her eye, retrieved Keith's home number, and pressed the green button.

  It took only a few rings before the distinctive voice of Elaine Norman answered. 'Norman residence.'

  'Elaine, it's Rosie Lang. I'm sorry it's taken me so long to return your call—'

  'Rose, lovely to hear from you and thank you, no apolog
y necessary. It is Saturday, after all, and you do have that dear little boy to consider. How is . . . Leon, isn't it?'

  Rosie took a second to ponder just what a class act Elaine Norman was. Rosie had met her a few years ago at a fundraiser when she was researching a series of profiles on charity matrons. Disliking stuffy society events and the types who attended them, she ended up at the bar, trying to act busy in order to avoid yet another shallow conversation with a dowager desperate to get her name in print. She didn't know who the hell Elaine Norman was, other than that she was friendly, funny, and seemed to be as uncomfortable in her surrounds as Rosie. The two women ended up spending most of the afternoon together in pleasant conversation, with Rosie leaving that day thinking she would always remember Elaine Norman, her kindness and quick wit, even if the sentiment wasn't reciprocated. Given that it was only six weeks later when Big Keith Norman asked her to lunch, Rosie had a nagging feeling she might have made an impression on Elaine too. And to remember her boy's name, well, Rosie was chuffed.

  'Yes, it is Leon, Elaine, and he is just wonderful. Thanks for asking,' Rosie replied. 'But I think it's your nearest and dearest whose health is in question. How is he? I've been worried.'

  'Thanks, Rosie, I appreciate your concern. He's not great. At all, really. But he wants to see you.'

  'I would love to see him too, Elaine, but is he up for visitors?'

  'Not really, Rosie, but he wants to speak to you. Frankly, I think you're the only one at that place he can trust at the moment.'

  That place? Sounds like Elaine is as fond of the network as I am.

  'I understand. When do you want me there?'

  'How about Monday morning?'

  'I doubt I can get out, Elaine. It's hard to get away even for five minutes these days.'

  'I don't suppose I could impose on you by asking you to come tomorrow then? I'm aware it is a Sunday but you could bring your boy, and I'd look after him. It should only take an hour.'

  Rosie knew she should say no, draw a clear boundary between work and home and insist on meeting Keith in business hours, but then she considered just how she could disappear from the network on a Monday – or indeed any weekday – without letting anyone know where she was, and realised she had Buckley's. Tomorrow it would have to be.

  'Fine, Elaine, but I won't be able to stay long. Say, ten am?'

  'Thank you, Rosie. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this. Keith will be most relieved. You know where we live?'

  The entire population of Sydney knew where Keith and Elaine Norman lived, it being one of Sydney's most prestigious old homes. Rosie made sure she went to its charity public opening each year to delight in Elaine's exquisite garden.

  'I know the place, Elaine. I look forward to seeing you.'

  'Thanks again, Rosie. You are a good friend to Keith, and me. I hope you know that. See you at ten.'

  Rosie lit another cigarette and inhaled its noxious fumes, trying to convince herself the smoke was calming. She wondered just how much she could tell Keith in his current state. Should he know Nash was already in his chair, that the big boss at Tang.Inc seemed to have taken over from Bettina Arthur, that Graham Hunt was on a bender in Los Angeles when he should have been in rehab, that Alicia's drama could well be a shocker, that massive cuts were taking place with who knew who about to be sacked any minute . . . ?

  That it was hell.

  * * *

  'Mummy, where have you been? I'm going to eat an octopussy!' Leon was sitting up at the table with the others, Elroy by his side, patiently awaiting her return.

  'Oh, please don't tell me you've been waiting for me. Go ahead and eat,' Rosie implored, wishing she had squirted some breath freshener in her mouth to disguise her stinky indulgence.

  'Rosie, Daniel has been telling us he's a lawyer,' Lou chimed, smoothly seguing Rosie back into the conversation.

  'Oh really, what kind?' Rosie asked, interested in any new morsel about Daniel Jones.

  'Well, mainly discrimination cases these days,' he answered, 'but I still look after a few clients, some contract law, things like that. I've had to tone down the practice a lot since my partner and I . . . um, split. Elroy has to come first. I want to be there for him before and after school, don't I, mate?'

  'Yes, Daddy,' Elroy answered, clearly besotted with his handsome father.

  Rosie was too. It all made sense now, why Snag Dad was always already there as Rosie made her chaotic dash to get Leon to daycare on time. As a single dad he was putting his son first.

  'As I've been trying to tell Rosie here, I'm happy to take Leon any afternoon if she needs to work late. It allows me some more time to work as the boys can entertain each other.'

  'Oh, Daniel, I've been trying to tell her the same thing,' Lou replied. 'Instead, she tries to do everything herself and gets into a right old state.'

  'Um, guys, I'm here, you know,' Rosie interjected sarcastically. 'And I thank you both for your kind offers but I think it's time to change the subject. I already have one black eye and don't need another. I'd like to propose a toast. Here's to friendship and children, those present and those to come.'

  Rosie turned to Lou, who beamed to be included in the children collective and touched her belly proudly.

  'You're not, are you?' Daniel asked.

  'I am, but only just,' Lou replied.

  'Oh well, that changes everything then,' Daniel said. 'Put those glasses down everyone. It's time to break out the champagne.'

  * * *

  Rosie wasn't sure if she was technically too tipsy to drive but accepted the offer of a lift from Lou and Stephen anyway. No one had realised just how late it was, too immersed in easy conversation and laughter, until the boys roused from their sleep to check out what the loud adults were up to.

  Rosie found herself holding Daniel's hand gently as she walked with Lou and Stephen to the car. She wasn't sure who had made the first move, but it felt so natural to Rosie it was like gravity pulls attaching.

  Leon was already curled up on the back seat of Stephen's car, exhausted and sated from his big day, as Lou and Stephen said their hasty goodbyes, anxious to allow Rosie and Daniel some private goodbye time.

  'Stephen's going to warm the engine up – you know what these old Jags are like,' Lou said from inside the purring car, 'so no hurry, you two.'

  Rosie was smiling at Lou's lack of discretion as she turned to Daniel, who was also grinning. Suddenly, her heart pounded so fast it was though she was breathing in amyl-nitrate with every laboured gasp.

  'So, Rosie, I guess it's good night then,' Daniel said, taking her free hand in his. 'It's been a treat getting to know you. I've got to say you are everything I ever imagined you would be and more.'

  Rosie feared she might tip over, she swooned so hard, but was steadied by Daniel's firm grasp.

  'Daniel, I don't know what to say,' she replied, her voice high and croaky like a thirteen-year-old boy's. 'Thank you for the incredible meal, your company . . . you! I had such a great night. I know the others did too.'

  'I hope it's the first of many, Rose,' Daniel replied, leaning in so close Rosie could smell the sweet Corona on his breath, then kissed her so softly his lips barely grazed hers. He pulled Rosie to him and she acquiesced, melting into his arms. Despite the persistent thump in her chest, Rosie actually felt calm and uninhibited as she lost herself in his embrace.